The UK writer, model, TV presenter and fashion designer’s hair is so famous there is a hairstyle named after it. We grill her on what it takes to get to a beauty-icon status.
I’VE HAD THE SAME HAIRSTYLIST SINCE I WAS 19. [George Northwood, who coined “The Alexa”.] I think someone you can share ideas with and have a candid conversation with is important. It’s one thing to want a certain haircut, but it’s another thing to know whether that will translate well on your own head. He’s not afraid to tell me when a style won’t suit me or suit my texture.
I’M LUCKY TO WORK WITH L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL. It’s really hard to be objective about yourself and your own head of hair. When I think of great French female icons, they each have a really distinctive and different look. It’s about attitude. France Gall had the blunt bob, Françoise Hardy had the bangs with the long hair. It all has kind of an effortlessness to it. I think that’s true of the colour as well. I saw Frédéric [Mennetrier at L’Atelier Blanc salon in Paris] for a L’Oréal Professionnel No-Damage Colour by Inoa treatment and basically it’s my hair, but better.
Try: L’oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour A-OX Shampoo, $26.
Try: L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni.Art Super Dust, $26.95.
ALL MY FRIENDS BLEACH THEIR HAIR AND DYE IT CRAZY COLOURS. It looks great on them but, for me, I’ve always enjoyed something that’s a little undone. Something that looks like you’ve had a really nice blowout and then you slept on it and woke up the next day. I use a lot of dry shampoo.
I PUT MY HAIR IN MINI BUNS ALL OVER MY HEAD WHEN IT’S DAMP, TO MAKE IT GO WAVY. When I’m in a hurry, I blow-dry it until it’s nearly dry, then let the Björk buns out at the last minute.
MY DAD USED TO CUT MY HAIR. I don’t know if he was doing it as a joke, but he used the bowl for the fringe. Yeah, that was pretty bad. I’m not particularly adventurous with my hair; I’ve never bleached it or anything. I always feel like if it looks all right, why change it?
I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT PAWPAW OINTMENT AND AN EYELASH CURLER. I don’t really mind what brand that is. I always have a very good moisturiser – La Roche-Posay [Hyalu B5 Cream] is so nice. I also like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek Blush. I love Glossier mascara because it doesn’t run down your face and it’s easy to get off, and a brow gel.
Try: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, $70.
Try: RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Smile, $55.
Try: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Cream, $59.95.
I LIKE WOODY, UNISEX SCENTS THAT AREN’T TOO MASCULINE. I love Le Labo Santal 33, but then everyone started wearing it. I don’t know what to do with myself now; I’m in transit.
Try: Le Labo Santal 33, $280.
This article originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of marie claire.
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